Introduction

Why We Need Floodplain
Management

Flooding is a natural phenomenon. Periodically, rain and
melting snow cause rivers to rise and streams and lakes to overflow their
banks onto adjacent land areas. These areas, known as floodplains, have
been carved out by floods for the specific purpose of carrying excess
floodwaters. Since times of settlement, little regard has been given to
the purpose and function of floodplains. Homes, businesses and even entire
communities have been built in floodplain areas. The development of these
floodplains has resulted in ongoing and often severe social and economic
losses.

Traditionally, planning for flood control has focused
on protecting existing development through structural approaches, such
as dams, persions, or levees. Not only are these approaches expensive,
but they also have not been effective in reducing flood damages. Despite
considerable expenditure on flood control works, annual damages due to
flooding continue to rise.

The root of the problem is the insistence on using
and occupying flood hazard areas. The National Flood Insurance Program
(NFIP) and the Oklahoma Floodplain Management Act (OFA) provide an alternative,
non-structural approach (see Chapters
1 and 2).
Rather than attempting to control the flow of water by moving or shifting
flooding away from people, these laws recognize and encourage the need
to control development in floodplains and focus on relocating people,
not floodwaters. Their basic purpose is not to prohibit, but to guide
development in floodplain areas in a manner consistent with both a community's
land use needs and the need of nature to convey floodwaters.

Purpose of
this Textbook

Floodplain management is a complicated and a very technical profession.
It would be impossible for a community official to administer and enforce
a flood damage prevention ordinance effectively without any prior floodplain
training. Chapters 1-5 of this textbook contain basic information primarily
for local floodplain officials in communities that participate in the
NFIP. It will help the floodplain administrator not only learn how to
administer and enforce a flood ordinance, but also how to establish and
manage an effective floodplain management program. To manage an effective
program, the local official must be familiar with the NFIP regulations
that are detailed in 44 CFR, specifically parts 59-78, and the Oklahoma
Floodplain Management Act.

Chapters 6-8 of this textbook cover topics beyond the basic NFIP
requirements. The topics are meant to give the floodplain administrator
a better understanding of some of the tools and mechanisms available for
developing a more comprehensive, responsible floodplain management program
in his community.

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